Sports Calendar 2025

Comprehensive sports calendar and targeted advertising playbook for major sporting events, championships, and rivalry games across NFL, NBA, MLB, and College Sports

Major Championships

30+

Critical events

Legendary Rivalries

15

Peak engagement

Planning Days

365

Strategic coverage

Targeting Strategies

20+

Playbook tactics

Viewership Data

115M+

Super Bowl peak

Monthly Overview

November 2025

Peak Football & Basketball Season

0 Critical Events

Major Events

NBA
Nov 4 - Dec 17

NBA Cup

NFL
Nov 4

Trade Deadline

College
Nov 6

College Basketball Season

Strategic Insights

NFL mid-season peak performance

College basketball season begins

Holiday sports programming prep

Fantasy football playoff preparations

0
Critical Events
3
Important Events
3
Sports Covered
3
Total Events

Critical Dates 2025

Priority planning events for maximum impact

7 Critical
3 High Priority

Critical Events - Maximum Planning Required

Critical

Super Bowl LIX

NFL
February 9

The biggest single sporting event in the US with the highest advertising rates

Est. Viewership
115M+
Ad Revenue
$7M per 30s
Critical

March Madness Begins

College Basketball
March 18

64-team tournament begins with massive bracket engagement

Est. Viewership
85M+ tournament
Ad Revenue
Premium rates
Critical

NBA Finals

NBA
June 5-22

Basketball championship series with global appeal

Est. Viewership
15M+ per game
Ad Revenue
High premium
Critical

World Series

MLB
October 25 - November 2

Baseball's championship series and Fall Classic

Est. Viewership
12M+ per game
Ad Revenue
Premium rates
Critical

College Football Playoff Championship

College Football
January 20

National championship game for college football

Est. Viewership
25M+
Ad Revenue
Very high
Critical

NFL Season Opener

NFL
September 4

Football season begins with massive viewership return

Est. Viewership
25M+
Ad Revenue
Very high
Critical

Final Four

College Basketball
April 5-7

College basketball's penultimate weekend in Phoenix

Est. Viewership
16M+ per game
Ad Revenue
Premium

High Priority Events - Strategic Planning

NBA
High

NBA All-Star Weekend

February 14-16

Three-day basketball celebration in San Francisco

Viewership:7M+ per event
MLB
High

MLB All-Star Game

July 15

Mid-summer classic at Globe Life Field in Texas

Viewership:8M+
NFL
High

NFL Draft

April 24-26

Three-day spectacle in Detroit with massive fan engagement

Viewership:6M+ per day

Strategic Planning Summary

Q1 Focus
Super Bowl, March Madness, CFP Championship
Q2-Q3 Focus
NBA Finals, MLB All-Star, NFL Season Start
Q4 Focus
World Series, NFL Playoffs buildup

Rivalry Game Tracker

Major rivalry matchups with peak marketing opportunities

9 Legendary
5 Heated
legendary

Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles

NFL
Multiple times during season
Dallas/Philadelphia

Fierce NFC East rivalry with national appeal

Viewership
Often primetime or Thanksgiving matchup
Markets
3 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

Dual creative campaigns in TX/PA markets, rivalry-themed promotions

Key Target Markets:
Dallas-Fort WorthPhiladelphiaNational
📚 Historical Context

Two of NFL's largest fan bases create massive regional interest

legendary

Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears

NFL
Twice per season
Green Bay/Chicago

NFL's oldest rivalry dating back to 1921

Viewership
Marquee Midwest timeslot
Markets
3 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

Nostalgia marketing, 'oldest rivalry' themes, Wisconsin vs Illinois targeting

Key Target Markets:
ChicagoMilwaukee-Green BayMidwest
📚 Historical Context

100+ years of history, deeply embedded in regional culture

heated

Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills

NFL
Regular season + potential playoffs
Kansas City/Buffalo

Modern rivalry featuring superstar QBs (Mahomes vs Allen)

Viewership
Sunday Night Football treatment
Markets
3 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

QB comparison campaigns, 'best rivalry right now' messaging

Key Target Markets:
Kansas CityBuffaloNational
📚 Historical Context

Frequent playoff battles have elevated this to premier status

legendary

Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics

NBA
Twice per regular season
Los Angeles/Boston

The classic NBA rivalry - most storied franchises

Viewership
National TV coverage guaranteed
Markets
3 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

Coast-to-coast campaigns, nostalgia marketing, championship history

Key Target Markets:
Los AngelesBostonNational
📚 Historical Context

Many Finals meetings, Magic vs Bird era, transcends regions

heated

New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets

NBA
4 times per season (home/away)
Madison Square Garden/Barclays Center

Crosstown rivalry for New York supremacy

Viewership
Strong NYC market ratings
Markets
2 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

'Choose your side' campaigns, borough-specific targeting, NYC pride themes

Key Target Markets:
New York CityTri-State Area
📚 Historical Context

Recent star acquisitions have renewed this rivalry's prominence

heated

Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers

NBA
4 times per season
San Francisco/Los Angeles

West Coast showdown with superstar appeal

Viewership
Top ratings when both competitive
Markets
3 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

NorCal vs SoCal themes, tech vs entertainment culture

Key Target Markets:
San Francisco Bay AreaLos AngelesCalifornia
📚 Historical Context

Curry vs LeBron matchups have defined modern NBA

legendary

New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox

MLB
19 games per season
Yankee Stadium/Fenway Park

Most famous rivalry in baseball

Viewership
ESPN Sunday Night Baseball often features this matchup
Markets
4 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

Northeast corridor campaigns, curse/championship themes, bar promotions

Key Target Markets:
New YorkBostonNortheastNational
📚 Historical Context

Over 100 years of history, Babe Ruth trade, 1978 playoff game

legendary

Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants

MLB
19 games per season
Dodger Stadium/Oracle Park

Classic West Coast rivalry dating to New York days

Viewership
Dominates West Coast sports coverage
Markets
3 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

California split campaigns, 'Beat LA/SF' promotions

Key Target Markets:
Los AngelesSan Francisco Bay AreaCalifornia
📚 Historical Context

Brooklyn Dodgers vs NY Giants rivalry moved west in 1958

heated

Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals

MLB
19 games per season
Wrigley Field/Busch Stadium

Biggest rivalry in the Midwest

Viewership
FOX Saturday Baseball often features
Markets
5 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

Midwest family rivalry themes, cross-state targeting

Key Target Markets:
ChicagoSt. LouisIllinoisMissouriMidwest
📚 Historical Context

Divides families across Illinois and Missouri

legendary

Michigan vs Ohio State ('The Game')

College Football
November 22, 2025
Alternates - Ann Arbor/Columbus

Most anticipated college game each season

Viewership
17-19M+ viewers - highest college game
Markets
4 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

State pride campaigns, 'The Game' branding, family rivalry themes

Key Target Markets:
MichiganOhioMidwestNational
📚 Historical Context

Often decides Big Ten title, transcends college sports

legendary

Texas vs Oklahoma (Red River Rivalry)

College Football
October 11, 2025
Cotton Bowl, Dallas (neutral site)

Played during State Fair of Texas

Viewership
National TV with split stadium atmosphere
Markets
4 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

State fair themes, burnt orange vs crimson campaigns

Key Target Markets:
TexasOklahomaDallasSouthwest
📚 Historical Context

Split stadium creates unique visual and atmosphere

legendary

Alabama vs Auburn (Iron Bowl)

College Football
November 22, 2025 (Rivalry Week)
Alternates - Tuscaloosa/Auburn

Fierce in-state SEC rivalry

Viewership
CBS national broadcast when ranked
Markets
3 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

Alabama state-wide campaigns, SEC intensity themes

Key Target Markets:
AlabamaSoutheastSEC Country
📚 Historical Context

Home to legendary moments like 'Kick Six' in 2013

legendary

Duke vs North Carolina

College Basketball
Twice per season (Jan/Feb)
Cameron Indoor/Dean Dome

Most famous college basketball rivalry

Viewership
ESPN College GameDay coverage
Markets
3 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

Research Triangle campaigns, Coach K vs Dean Smith legacy

Key Target Markets:
North CarolinaResearch TriangleNational
📚 Historical Context

Historic 2022 Final Four meeting was most-watched semifinal in 5 years

heated

Kentucky vs Louisville

College Basketball
December (non-conference)
Alternates within Kentucky

Intrastate Kentucky rivalry

Viewership
Extremely intense locally
Markets
3 key markets
💡 Marketing Opportunity

'House Divided' themes, statewide Kentucky campaigns

Key Target Markets:
KentuckyLouisvilleLexington
📚 Historical Context

Many Kentucky businesses literally close for this game

Rivalry Marketing Summary

Legendary Rivalries
National audiences, premium ad rates, historic significance
Heated Rivalries
Strong regional interest, passionate fan engagement
Peak Opportunity
Rivalry weeks offer maximum fan attention and spending

Sport Categories & Event Timelines

MLB

April - October

Key Events
Opening Day
All-Star Game (Philly)
Speedway Classic
World Series
Peak Months
AprilJulyOctober
Click to view

NBA

October - June

Key Events
Season Start
Christmas Games
All-Star (LA)
NBA Finals
Peak Months
OctoberDecemberFebruaryJune
Click to view

NFL

September - February

Key Events
Season Start
Thanksgiving
Playoffs
Super Bowl LX
Peak Months
SeptemberNovemberJanuaryFebruary
Click to view

College

Year Round

Key Events
CFP Championship
March Madness
Rivalry Week
Final Four
Peak Months
JanuaryMarchNovemberApril
Click to view

Select a Sport

Choose a sport category above to view detailed event timeline and advertising opportunities

Regular Season Schedule Structure

Detailed weekly game patterns, timing strategies, and marketing opportunities throughout each sport's regular season. Plan campaigns around consistent weekly rhythms and peak engagement periods.

NFL Regular Season Structure

September 4 - January 5, 2026
Total Games

272 total games (17 per team)

Weekly Pattern

Sunday (1pm, 4pm ET), Monday Night, Thursday Night

Primetime

Sunday Night Football (NBC), Monday Night Football (ESPN)

Season Flow & Marketing Opportunities

Week 1-4

(September)
High fan engagement, fantasy football prep
Key Games
  • Season openers
  • Division rivals
  • Prime matchups
Ad Strategy

Welcome back football campaigns, fantasy tie-ins

Week 5-8

(October)
Consistent weekly audiences
Key Games
  • International Series
  • Divisional battles
  • Trade deadline impact
Ad Strategy

Establish weekly viewing habits, local team focus

Week 9-12

(November)
Thanksgiving peak viewership
Key Games
  • Thanksgiving games
  • Playoff positioning
  • Weather impact
Ad Strategy

Holiday tie-ins, family viewing promotions

Week 13-17

(December-January)
Playoff implications drive interest
Key Games
  • Playoff races
  • Division titles
  • Seeding battles
Ad Strategy

Intensity messaging, playoff preparation campaigns

Regular Season Marketing Tips

Timing Strategy
  • • Pre-game: 2-4 hours before kickoff
  • • Live: Halftime and timeouts
  • • Post-game: Victory/defeat emotional windows
Targeting Focus
  • • Local markets for team-specific campaigns
  • • Sports bars during away games
  • • Geo-fence stadiums and tailgate areas

Key Games & Marquee Matchups

Must-watch regular season games featuring historic rivalries, nationally televised matchups, and high-impact contests. Perfect for targeted advertising around specific games that matter most to fans.

Select a Sport

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Targeted Advertising Playbook

Comprehensive strategies for geo-targeting, content timing, team-specific creative, and real-time marketing opportunities. Includes viewership data, ad format recommendations, and proven campaign examples.

Select a Sport

Choose a sport above to view targeted advertising strategies and recommendations

Strategic Marketing Insights

Peak Viewership Events

  • • Super Bowl LX: 115M+ viewers, $7M per 30s
  • • Michigan vs Ohio State: 17-19M viewers
  • • March Madness First Round: Office phenomenon
  • • NBA Finals: 15M+ per game

Best Targeting Opportunities

  • • Game day geo-fencing around stadiums
  • • Post-victory celebration campaigns
  • • Rivalry week dual-market targeting
  • • Real-time moment marketing

Proven Campaign Types

  • • Team-specific creative variations
  • • Bracket challenge engagement
  • • Alumni network targeting
  • • Second-screen social campaigns
Last updated: January 2025 • Comprehensive 2025-26 sports calendar and advertising playbook
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